DIGEST

Workforce education. Requires the department of workforce development (DWD) to prepare an occupational demand report before July 1, 2016, regarding the expected workforce needs of employers for a 10 year projection and the training and education that will be required to meet those expected workforce needs. Requires the DWD to categorize these workforce needs and training and education requirements by job classification on a statewide basis and also for each region designated under the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014 (WIOA). Provides that in preparing the labor market demand report and the average wage level report used inWorkforce education. Requires the department of workforce development (DWD) to prepare an occupational demand report before July 1, 2016, regarding the expected workforce needs of employers for a 10 year projection and the training and education that will be required to meet those expected workforce needs. Requires the DWD to categorize these workforce needs and training and education requirements by job classification on a statewide basis and also for each region designated under the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014 (WIOA). Provides that in preparing the labor market demand report and the average wage level report used indetermining school funding for career and technical education, the DWD shall consider the information included in the report. Requires the DWD, with the assistance of the commission for higher education (CHE), Ivy Tech Community College (Ivy Tech), the department of education, and local workforce development boards, to do the following for each region designated under the WIOA: (1) Prepare an inventory of the career and technical education courses available to students attending high school in the region and of the certification courses provided by Ivy Tech in the region. (2) Identify any gaps or imbalances between the career and technical education courses and certification courses offered and the workforce needs and training and education requirements in the region. Requires the DWD, with the assistance of the CHE, Ivy Tech, and local workforce development boards, to annually: (1) develop recommendations concerning the career and technical education courses and courses leading to a certification that should be offered at high schools within each region designated under the WIOA; (2) report to the budget committee before January 1 of each year concerning the recommendations; and (3) report the recommendations to the board of trustees, administration, and faculty of Ivy Tech at a meeting scheduled by the Ivy Tech board of trustees. Requires the DWD, in consultation with the CHE and Ivy Tech, to develop a procedure for measuring certain outcomes for credential or degree completers and separately for current or previously enrolled students of Ivy Tech. Requires advisory committees established by Ivy Tech to do the following: (1) Consider the workforce needs and training and education needs identified in the occupational demand report prepared by the DWD. (2) Present to the Ivy Tech board of trustees any findings or recommendations of the advisory committee concerning those needs. Requires the CHE, in consultation with the DWD, to develop and recommend funding amounts and performance metrics that reward workforce training programs that are not included in the postsecondary performance funding formula. Provides that these funding amounts and performance metrics must be aligned with the workforce needs and training and education requirements reported by the DWD. Specifies that a regional works council may develop an alternative career, technical, or vocational educational curriculum for high school students in its region in order to provide a curriculum that is aligned with the workforce needs of the region as described in the occupational demand report. (Current law allows a regional works council to develop an alternative curriculum under certain circumstances, and requires approval by the state board of education (state board) before the alternative curriculum may be implemented.) Requires the department of education and the DWD to prepare a report containing certain information for each high school and each school corporation for the immediately preceding school year. Provides that the board of trustees of Ivy Tech shall establish an administrative structure for Ivy Tech that provides the support necessary for: (1) workforce training programs, including programs designed for the direct entry of individuals into the workforce; and (2) programs to enhance the skills of workers. Requires Ivy Tech to employ two vice presidents. Provides that before November 1, 2016, and each November 1 thereafter, Ivy Tech shall provide the budget committee certain information for each of Ivy Tech's owned or operated campus locations or sites that offer ongoing academic programs and services. Requires Ivy Tech to annually report to the DWD concerning certificate programs available that are linked to third party certifications, including the enrollment, completion, and subsequent employment for students completing certificate programs. Requires Ivy Tech to annually report to the CHE, the DWD, and the legislative council concerning: (1) the elimination or restructuring of certain programs and services; (2) the development of courses and programs identified as being required to meet workforce needs; and (3) whether the resources available to Ivy Tech are sufficient. Requires the president of Ivy Tech to report each year concerning progress in the efforts to align courses and programs with the workforce needs and educational requirements within each works council region. Requires the Ivy Tech board of trustees to do the following in its development and adoption of programs leading to a certificate and for workforce training programs: (1) Consider findings and recommendations that are submitted to the board of trustees by advisory committees. (2) Obtain and consider comments and input from Indiana employers and employer organizations. (3) Ensure that the programs are aligned with the primary purposes of Ivy Tech. Requires the state board to consider the workforce needs and training and education requirements reported by the DWD when the state board makes revisions to its long range state plan for secondary level career and technical education programs. Provides that in carrying out its duties to match education and training programs with current and future needs of the state's job market, the Indiana career council shall consider the workforce needs and training and education requirements reported by the DWD. Specifies that certain of these requirements sunset on July 1, 2020.... View more